tasty grain free recipes from a former omnivore

Tag Archives: christmas

TIS THE SEASON! For mistletoe, snow, fine company, and cookies!!! I am obsessed with these perfect grain free gingersnap cookies and so excited to share them with you for your healthier holiday baking party.

I think it’s officially safe to say that we’re in the final stretch of holiday baking, and I’m going to sneak this perfect little grain free gingersnap cookie right into the mix because I just know you guys are going to love them. They are chewy, full of gingery spiced flavor, just sweet enough, and totally GRAIN FREE! Because with all the indulgence that comes along with the holidays, it’s always nice to add some healthier notes to the mix.

What’s the flour I used you might ask? Chickpea flour! This stuff is seriously amazing. If you’ve never tried baking / cooking / playing around with it in the kitchen, I highly recommend picking up a bag and getting busy!

Honestly, some of my favorite grain free cookies that I’ve ever made are with chickpea flour. There’s just something about the simplicity of it and the texture that it lends that are so so good. So good that you probably wouldn’t even notice the healthy flour swap if you didn’t know. I’ve made some salted mocha chocolate cookies (so delish!) with chickpea flour on the blog before if you want another cookie recipe idea for that bag of chickpea flour that you’re about to pick up. And another great place to get ideas is on the ever-so-talented blog of Dolly and Oatmeal. She actually has a cookbook called Chickpea Flour Does It Alland while I don’t own the cookbook (yet! it’s on the Christmas list 😉) I have made some of the recipes from the cookbook that she’s shared on her blog and they have all been amaze.

Loves! Hello! This is the one last little recipe I want to get out to you before the day of gratitude and feasting begins, and it is a GOOD one. This is a recipe for all my side dish lovers out there. The one’s who are into the vibrant colors of the season, and all the delicious flavors that exist on the other side of a hot oven. I see you and I’m here for you today with this recipe for roasted delicata squash stuffed with kale and maple cinnamon roasted mushrooms!

YESSSS.

I know we’re a bit last minute with the whole turkey day menu conversation (ahem), but I’m betting there’s a least a few of you out there reading this still searching for that most delicious side dish to bring to the table.

Or maybe you’re reading this after the whole turkey day thing, and just looking for a crazy delicious stuffed squash recipe.

Either way, you’re in luck. Because this one, piled high with tender sautéed kale, maple cinnamon roasted mushrooms (YES!!), bacon (if that’s your thing), and topped with bright and sweet pomegranate seeds and toasty walnuts in all it’s colorful brilliance, is begging you to choose it!

Is gravy not the best part of holiday meals? I mean, a good gravy can save just about any dish in need of some love – dry turkey, bland mashed potatoes, over baked stuffing. It’s like the little (DELICIOUS) miracle working angel of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Which is why I was so dang heartbroken when I gave up gluten, since most classic gravies are made with flour. But little did I know then that all hope was not lost. There are amazing gravy options to be had that do not involve any gluten or grains of any kind, like this easy make ahead paleo gravy!

It is here to fill that gravy shaped hole in your heart.

(Is that weird? You guys know what I mean 😉)

I’m sure I’m not the only one that would argue gravy to be their favorite item on the Thanksgiving (or Christmas! Or hearty mid-winter dinner!) table. Which is why I felt it was so important to get it right. And easy. Make ahead menu items can be such a game changer when it comes to planning big meals!

Unlike most gravies that are thickened with some type of flour (wheat or not), this gravy gets it’s body from puréeing caramelized onions, garlic, and a few cashews together into an aromatic infused broth.

(👆🏼👆🏼👆🏼 bringing some MEGA flavor to the game)

what type of broth should you use for the gravy?

As one of the main ingredients of the gravy, you really want to start with something that tastes good. That being said, you don’t have to use a homemade stock or bone broth. I have made this gravy many times with store bought beef broth, chicken, or mushroom broth for a vegetarian version. Because you’re blending in some ever-so-flavorful and umami rich caramelized onions and garlic, and on top of that infusing the broth with aromatics, the store bought option will work just fine, as long as it’s a high quality option.

If you have some homemade stock or bone broth, definitely use it, as it will add another layer of richness and depth of flavor (AKA bringing your A game! 💯).

Even better – if you are making this gravy the day of the feast and making a turkey (which is totally do-able, it’s not that high maintanence), de-glaze your turkey roasting pan and incorporate some of the pan drippings to REALLY take it to the next level.